Alcohol and Tobacco Compliance Checks

Alcohol Compliance Checks

WASCOP contracts with the Wyoming Department Health to conduct alcohol retailer education and compliance checks statewide. Compliance checks are a proven, best-practice strategy, for reducing the sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 21. WASCOP distributes grant funds to local law enforcement agencies to conduct compliance checks of alcohol retailers in their jurisdiction. These checks are conducted according to protocols established in W.S.S. 12-6-103. Data from the inspection is gathered and reported to the Wyoming Liquor Division and developed into an annual report published by WASCOP and the University of Wyoming Statistical Analysis Center.

Get ID

WASCOP produces and distributes ‘GET ID’ packets to alcohol retailers in the State of Wyoming through their local law enforcement agency. These packets contain materials for alcohol retailers to train and familiarize employees on Wyoming law related to the sale of alcoholic beverages and best practice business protocols for checking ID to reduce the sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 21.

TIP’s Training

WASCOP promotes Training in Intervention Procedure (TIPS) for alcohol retailers. Many Wyoming law enforcement agencies provide this training for free to retailers in their jurisdiction. This training is for retailers and their employees and trains them in detecting fake IDs, server practices and how to successfully handle intoxicated customers. These measures are intended to improve their business practices, business environment and improve profitability while at the same time reducing underage drinking and over-consumption of alcohol and the social problems associated with them.

Tobacco Compliance Checks

The Wyoming Department of Health, using Tobacco Settlement Funds, contracts with WASCOP to conduct Tobacco Compliance checks. Tobacco compliance checks are a best practice strategy for reducing the sale of tobacco to persons under 18 years of age. WASCOP uses these funds to provide grants to local law enforcement agencies to conduct these checks according protocols established in W.S.S.14-3-307. Data is gathered from these inspections and submitted to the University of Wyoming Statistical Analysis Center (WYSAC) that publishes an annual report.

Synar Inspections

In accordance with 42 U.S.C. 300x-26, Wyoming is required to report information regarding the sale/distribution of tobacco products to individuals under age 18 as part of the Annual Synar Report. The Wyoming Department of Health, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Division is also required to make public the Annual Synar Report prior to submission to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (SAMHSA)/(CSAP). WYSAC, in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, conducts these SYNAR inspections statewide and publishes the Annual Synar Report.

WASCOP facilitates the collaboration between WYSAC and local agencies to complete these checks in a timely and efficient manner.